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Thousands Rally Against U.S. To Mark Revolution Day In Iran
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Tens of thousands of Iranians turned out in a show of defiance against U.S. charges that Iran formed part of an "axis of evil".
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TEHRAN,
Feb. 11 (News Agencies) - Tens of thousands of Iranians declared their hate for
the United States in a march on their capital Monday to mark Revolution day, in
the wake of U.S. President George W. Bush's description of Iran as an
"evil" state.
The
rallies marked the 23rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution and the marchers
came from seven different points in the capital and converged on the huge Azadi
(Freedom) Square in the west of the city to hear the traditional speech by
President Mohammad Khatami.
"Our
people are awake, and hate America," cried demonstrators who included
scholars, soldiers and members of the bassiji Islamic group, as well as Afghan
refugees.
The
intense anti-U.S. sentiment followed President Bush's comments in January that
Iran, Iraq and North Korea were an "axis of evil".
In
his speech Monday, February 11, Khatami called on the "immature
leaders" of the U.S. government to "wake up" and change their
policy towards Iran, amid heightened U.S. criticisms of the Islamic republic.
"We
hope to see American leaders wake up and change their policy on Iran,"
Khatami told tens of thousands of Iranians. "The best way of fighting the
pressures and threats of immature leaders is your presence here, your
participation; in a word the strengthening of democracy."
The
U.S. and Iran severed diplomatic relations in 1980.
"Those
who have carried out coups d'etats, terrorism, wars and who have imposed
embargoes on you," Khatami told the crowd in reference to the United
States, "are today using ridiculous pressures, but, above all, this
mistaken policy will be harmful to themselves."
"The
decisions of immature American leaders are making their country more and more
hated by other people, and the American people are thus in conflict with other
peoples," he said.
The
moderate leader, who has often disagreed with conservative religious leaders,
insisted that Iranians were "attached" to their Islamic regime.
"There
are certainly conflicts in our society, different opinions, discontent, and we
don't hide them. Many demands have not been met. But the people, all united, are
confirming their attachment to revolution and the regime by being here,"
said Khatami.
"These
people want a religious democratic republic which is true to its Islamic
culture," he added. "Religious democracy is the best answer that we
can have against the threats and pressure" of the United States.
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"The decisions of immature American leaders are making their country more and more hated by other people," said Khatami.
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"There
have been external threats for 23 years. But our policy is inspired by détente
and peace, equitable relations with all the countries of the world, except those
which are fundamentally illegitimate," he said, referring to Israel.
"We
are messengers of peace, and we condemn terrorism, pressures and
domination," Khatami told the crowd.
"The
despicable attack of September 11 must be examined closely, and we must know how
much it was favored by the mistaken policies of the American leaders," he
continued. "The American people must ask their leaders just how long they
must pay the price for mistaken policies and decisions."
"We
are ready to fight and die, but the Americans will not dare to attack us,"
said sports teacher Ali Akbar Yussefi-Jamani, 38, who was parading with 260
school students on Tohid Square in the southeast of the capital.
A
banner carried by the students read: "Wise Guide, We are Prepared to
Die".
"America,
Israel, don't think that just because we are women we won't hit you in the
face," shouted some 200 women students in Jomhuri (Republic) Square.
Press
reports said 40,000 bassijis, faithful followers of Iran's supreme leader or
guide Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be wearing shrouds to show they would take
part in suicide attacks.
Volunteers
would be given the chance to sign up for such operations, the evening Kayhan
newspaper said Sunday, February 10.
In
the bitter 1980-88 war against Iraq, thousands of bassijis lost their lives,
charging in suicidal attacks across minefields.
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